TRIBUTES have been flooding in for much loved Davenham pensioner Nellie Osborne who died last week after a lifetime spent helping others.

A former welfare officer with the Royal British Legion, Mrs Osborne (pictured) died in Northwich Infirmary at the age of 91 after a courageous battle against arthritis and chronic leukaemia.

Her funeral was held at Davenham Parish Church yesterday and Alan Goodier, treasurer of Davenham Royal British Legion, summed it up for many when he said: 'Nellie was a leading light in Davenham for many years. She did a tremendous amount of work for the British Legion and the wider community. She really was a wonderful lady.'

Although she was christened Elizabeth Ellen everyone knew her as Nellie and at the age of 85 she wrote a book about her life called Nellie's Story which was an instant hit.

In the book she recounts how she left the village school at 14 and went to work as a 'between maid' at the local rectory.

Following hermarriagetoRalph, shebecameanurse, dinner lady and foster mum. And as RBL welfare officer she travelled all over Mid Cheshire on a motorcycle until she was 80.

But her work with the RBL didn't end there. She was also chairwoman of the RBL women's section for many years and also served as chairwoman of Davenham Social Club.

She had been married to Ralph for 64 years and in April the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary at Leighton Hospital, where both were receiving treatment - her husband for a broken hip.